UH ends first week upbeat
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i football team salvaged an unfortunate first week of training camp with a spirit-lifting, 45-play controlled scrimmage yesterday on the school's grass practice field.
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"I thought we deserved a B-plus," offensive lineman Vince Manuwai said.
Jason Whieldon made the transition to starting quarterback, completing 10 of 19 passes in a controlled scrimmage yesterday at UH's practice field.
Yesterday's scrimmage and today's day off should refresh a team that is grateful for any sort of positive moment. Last week, strong safety Leonard Peters was hospitalized for four days after suffering bruises to his spleen and a kidney, and starting quarterback Tim Chang sustained a fractured right pinkie on his throwing hand. Also, wideout Justin Colbert (muscle strain), defensive end Travis Laboy (jammed toe) and safety Matt Manuma (strained knee) were unable to practice yesterday.
But the show went on, and the scenes were stolen by:
• Jason Whieldon, a junior who made the seamless transition to starting quarterback. Whieldon completed 10 of 19 passes, but he was 5 of 5 against the first-team defense and showed a knack for eluding the heat-seeking pass rush.
"He's pretty poised and smart," UH coach June Jones said. "He's what I thought he would be."
In January, Whieldon transferred from Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo, Calif. He competed in spring practice, then was listed at No. 3 on the depth chart when he reported to training camp a week ago.
"I feel more comfortable every day," Whieldon said. "It's just reps. The more times you do something, the better you will get."
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• Ross Dickerson, a true freshman from St. Louis School. Dickerson sprinted past the secondary to haul in three passes for 82 yards, including a diving catch he secured with his fingerprints.
Mike Bass found running room during yesterday’s scrimmage at the University of Hawai‘i.
Dickerson, once drowned out by the chorus of slotbacks, is now expected to receive significant playing time this season.
"I'm fighting my hardest to get on the (60-player) travel squad," he said. "I'm focused. That's one of the things I learned from some of the players, like (slotback) Chad Owens. He said you have to be strong and fight your way through everything."
• Manuwai, who has contributed heavily to his campaign for the Outland Trophy as the nation's top lineman.
On one play, Manuwai, a right guard, held off defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga, then sprinted downfield to serve as a lead blocker on an inside screen. With Manuwai in the lineup, Whieldon was touched only once, on a broken play.
• Running back Thero Mitchell, who lost 15 pounds during the offseason but none of his power.
"I had a goal of losing a little bit of weight to try and help with my quickness and speed," said Mitchell, who now weighs 210. "I wasn't unhappy with any part of my game last year. I just figured I would be able to block effectively and maximize the runs I get if I'm a little quicker."
Manuwai said the team has set a goal of averaging at least 100 rushing yards per game this season.
"We have some good running backs," he said. "It's kind of a waste if you don't reach that goal. We're trying to be more balanced this year."
Jones said Mitchell is a good fit because of his ability to block and run. "We're kind of a finesse offense," Jones said. "He gives us some toughness."
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The Warriors were able to mix and match yesterday. Hyrum Peters, who is listed as the starting right cornerback, was used at strong safety yesterday. That enabled Kelvin Millhouse, who usually plays when the Warriors use five or six defensive backs, to open at cornerback.
Safety David Gilmore intercepts a Shawn Withy-Allen pass.
"I'm doing whatever the team needs me to do," said Peters, an efficient run-defender who often is used as a fourth linebacker.
In Laboy's absence, Kevin Jackson, a quarterback in high school, opened at right defensive end. At 6 feet 5, Jackson is effective in obscuring the passing lanes into the flat. His first-step quickness is helpful in chasing the quarterback.
"He has great speed, and every year he's been here, he's getting bigger and faster," Jones said.
But Jackson said he was unsuccessful in gaining the weight needed to be an every-down lineman. Jackson had hoped to weigh 260 pounds at the start of training camp. Instead, he lost five pounds and now weighs 240.
"I just couldn't gain the weight," said Jackson, who spent part of the summer serving a church mission in China.
Jones said Jackson, Laboy, La'anui Correa and Houston Ala will rotate at the two defensive end positions.
